Child&#39;s combined dress and protective hat



Sept. 13, 1955 1. FROII'HINGHAM CHILDS COMBINED DRESS AND PROTECTIVE HAT Filed Oct. 12, 1953 INVENTOR. FROTHINGHAM ATTORNEY United States PatenrfO 2,717,384 CHILDS COMBINED IIJIIiESS ANDIPROTECTIVE Irene- Frothingham, Woodhaven, N. Y.- Application October 12,'1953,'Serial No. 385,394 1 Claim. (CIA-*3) This invention pertains to new and useful improvements in childrens hats. It has for its general .object the provision for a small child ofa' hat that v fn'a'y be used equally for dress wear as-w'ell as for protection of the childs head against injury 'due to falls and. bumps.

'It is well known that many lasting ills are.-- due .to head injuries occurring in childhood, particularly during the tender years of the toddler to .the five yearold. l-It is in these early years that the childs head is particularly susceptible to injury. It is during this period when the child is prone to falls, bumps'andthe like Fina-learning to walk, when playing with oth'er children'gand through the carelessness of others.

A strong need is felt for protecting the head of the small child against such dangers in the form of a head covering, such as a hat. However, it is desired that the head covering be more than a mere protective article. It is desired that it have an attractive look so as to avoid the appearance of a medical appliance. Such a hat should also be of a light and comfortable nature, so that there will be no objection by the child to wearing it.

Now, I have designed a form of safety hat that may be worn by the small and tender child. It is a hat which not only affords a safe protection against head injuries arising out of various impacts, but which also provides an ornamental and attractive appearance, suitable for dress wear.

An object of the invention is, therefore, the provision of a childs hat that afiords adequate protection against injury to the head and is also suitable for dress wear.

A further object of the invention is an improved hat for protecting a small childs head against injury.

A still further object of the invention is a simple and attractive hat of a light nature, particularly suited for dress wear as well as for protecting a small childs head against the impact of falls, bumps, and the like.

The invention further lies in the particular structural arrangement of the hat and in the relative association of its various components to one another.

The foregoing objects and advantages of this invention, as well as others, together with the particular nature of the hat, may be readily gathered from the further description below when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein a childs hat embodying the invention is disclosed:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view thereof with a part of a covering cap thereon cut away;

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, but with the covering cap removed.

In describing the invention in further detail, reference is directed to the drawings, wherein there is shown a hat comprising a protective section, generally indicated 1, adapted to fit upon a childs head and provided with a covering cap 2 and suitable fastening means 3.

The protective section includes a framework formed of a continuous broad band 4 of fabric cloth, preferably 2,717,384 Patented Sept. l3, 1955 2 elastic-cloth,and a p'air of cross straps 5 of similar material. The latter bridgethe"band-asan" are at right angles to one another andmave their-ends 6 securedto opposite points outlie band; Theba'n'd isadapted to fit around me head ofja 'ehild while the cross straps-are adapted to bridge the crown thereof.

""Se'cur'edto' the outer surface of -the ban'd andzcross straps of the framework-{are aplurality of cushionelemerits generally designated 7;-- Ea'ch cushion element comprises a block of resilient -.material- 8,- such as foam rubber, encased a suitable 'xovering 9 of lightweight cloth; Each cushionisremovably secured to the frame work by fastening elements, such-as snappers10, the male elements 11 ofwliich--are .secured'to the cushion and the female elements of which are secured to the framework. a I e l The I elements- 7 serveto cushion the childs head against injury due to-falls, bumps, and the like. The cushions are arranged a'bout the framework in-such manner=as to fully cover the latter. To thisend, apair of cushions, designated-1'1, covereachof the cross straps. Each cushion-"11' extends from'the'bottom edge of the band 4-and extends up and over the related cross strap tothe center! thereof, where it meets thecushion -11 covering the other half 'of the cross-strap. The top center of the framework, where the cross strapspass over cach -other .at ri'ghtangles,--is covered by a" triangular end-120i each cushionll. Fhepoints of the triangular portions meet at the center of the framework, and the angular sides 13 thereof are in adjacent abutment to each other.

The space on the continuous band extending between the lower sides of each cross cushion 11 is covered by a cushion 14, the ends of which abut against the sides of the adjacent cushions 11.

The framework, as covered by the several cushions, is adapted to fit upon a childs head, and obviously may be made in various sizes. The elastic fabric of the framework permits the component parts thereof to stretch closely over the crown and around the head, whereby the cushion elements are caused to conform with the shape of the head and to afford a proper protection thereof against impact.

The several elements of the framework and the cushions are desirably about an inch in width, and the fabric covering of the cushion elements is of lightweight cloth. This arrangement of the framework provides a suitable covering protection for the small childs head. The lightweight of the various elements of the article enables the hat to be comfortably worn. The strategic arrangement of the cushion elements 7 about the band 4 and the cross straps 5 provides a maximum of protection against impact about the head and crown thereof with cushions abut one another, as here about the band and at the center of the crown, also provides complete protection in the vital areas of the head.

The removable feature of the several cushion elements, due to the snapper elements 10, permits ready manufacture and assembly of the hat as well as economy of manufacture, among other advantages.

As previously stated, the hat is also designed for dress wear. This is aided by the unique and novel arrangement of the various elements thereof, as well as .by a covering cap 2. The latter covers the cushioned framework, and may, for appearance be provided in different and fanciful colors. The cap is removable, so that the cushioned framework may itself be worn as a dress head ornament, at the same time serving as a protective device.

To this end, the cushioned elements may also be made i ther aiding the dress appearance of the cushioned framework, in that it allows for a plurality of cushions and each may be provided in a different color so as to make a colorful and attractive combination. l

Fastening means, such as the chin strap 3, is provided for holding the hat to the childs head. One end of the strap 3 is secured at 15 to a flap 16 attached to the lower edge of the band 4. The other end of the strap engages with a buckle 17 that attaches to another flap 18 secured to the band at the other side.

While I have described and illustrated my invention as above, it is myintent, however to claim the invention not only as shown and described, but also in all such forms and modifications thereof as may be reasonably construed to be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A combined dress and protective hat for a child, comprising a framework of elastic fabric cloth adapted to fit upon the head of a child in conformity with the shape thereof, the framework comprising a continuous-band adapted to encircle the head and a pair of arcuate straps crossing one another at right angles and bridging opposite points of the band, the arcuate straps serving to bridge the crown of the head, a pair of contiguous cushion elements covering each arcuate strap, the cushion elements being of the same width as the straps and each cushion element extending from the lower edge of the continuous band to the center of the crossing straps and P each cushion element having a pointed end the angular sides of which abut complementary sides of the pointed ends of the cushion elements of the other cross strap, 7

whereby the central crown area of a childs head is cushioned, and further cushion elements each of a width equal to that of the continuous band and each covering the latter over a separate space from a side of a cushion element covering one cross strap to the side of a cushion element covering the next adjacent cross strap, each of the several mentioned cushion elements being formed of foam rubber encased in a fabric covering, and each of the several cushion elements being detachably secured to the framework, a cap removably covering the cushioned framework to provide a dress appearance, and a chin strap for holding the hat to a childs head for protection of the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 532,567 Larwood Ian. 15, 1895 863,315 Pierce Aug. 13, 1907 1,262,111 Slotorotf Apr. 9, 1912 1,364,662 Wagner Jan. 4, 1921 2,505,272 Blalock et al. Apr. 25, 1950 2,561,872 'Krinick July 24, 1951 2,607,036 McCoy Aug. 19, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 294,116 Great Britain Oct. 3, 1929 350,142 Great Britain June 11, 1931 3,435 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1913 

